Alternator relocation in Lexus LX450

[nashqadri]

I have crossed creeks and rivers when i used to have a Wrangle and never stalled. Family loves being close to creeks and rivers so its quite likely that i will need to cross one in my LX450 sometime soon this summer. Alternator is sitting low on the block. Has anyone tried to relocate it to a higher position the same side or the other side by the exhaust manifold. I cant find any off-the-shelf brackets for it. Seems like i will have to get a bracket fabricated which may not be a good idea... don't know if the belt alignment will be accurate and long term there won't be problems.

Please advise. Thank you!

 

[cahill]

There have been plenty of 80 series crossing deep water and I haven't heard of any of them having their alternator fail to cause it to stall out. You should still be able to run off the battery if the alternator stopped charging. I am sure there would be more posts on this and vendors making brackets for relocation if it was a problem and am sure Toyota knew the 80 series was going to be used to cross water. The alternator is already pretty high in the engine bay as it is - I would think there would be a lot of other potential pitfalls to be worried about in crossing water that deep before worrying about the alternator. If you really want to cross deep water frequently, get a diesel 80 and add a snorkel and make sure you have a way to recover your vehicle if you happen to get stuck. Also get used to changing out fluids and grease after each trip.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

I'm with @cahill on this. Pretty sure you're generating a solution in search of a problem.

 

[CruiserDave]

A wet distributor is more of a concern. I've had water come over the hood a few times dropping into mud holes and some creeks. No problems so far. Got the old distributor and old plug wires (before I changed both) wet while cleaning engine bay. Wouldn't start until it dried out.

 

[nashqadri]

Thank you all.

 

[Batameez]

How deep are the streams you are crossing to need to move that alternator even higher? Are you sure you don't need a boat?

 

[nashqadri]

How deep are the streams you are crossing to need to move that alternator even higher? Are you sure you don't need a boat?

Deep one here. This clip is me taking a RAM through a river crossing out in the Mojave, right by the railroad tracks.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GPLBdumh6kuNwMjNAP

It is not far from the 15 freeway. Water was pushing at least three and a half feet. My RAM made it through fine, but another one same truck same day got dunked and stalled. Driver hit it a bit too hot. Turns out wading takes more finesse than brute force.

I had two other episodes up in Big Bear. One with an LR4 and one with a Range Rover Sport. Both splashed through meltwater pits at around 15 miles an hour and both got smoked. Alternators went out. They were mounted low and got soaked. Batteries did not last long since we were pretty deep in the woods.

The only fix was to keep jumping them every half mile until we limped into a shop in Big Bear.

Our crew is full of overgrown kids who love splashing through water. I want in too without stressing about my alternator. Everything else on the rig is easy to protect, but that alternator sitting low is a real weak spot.

Since I’m planning a trip with my family I think protecting the alternator is safe than sorry.

Let me know if you want to hear a story about my boat. That one is also pretty interesting. We had to actually dive down a 50 feet deep in the water to Rescue a crewmember and bring the boat back up. LOL.

 

[CharlieS]

Do whatever you want, but I've had all of my land crusiers on water crossings in water up to the hood and never had an issue.

 

[Njck22]

EFI motors don't excel at extended or deep water crossings. Definitely doable, but I would be more concerned about any of the EFI components getting wet first and leaving you stranded in the stream, before worrying about a little bit of water splashing on your alternator. You will be far from the first person to get a landcruiser alternator wet

A spare reman alternator in the trunk is easier than solving something that might not even be a problem. I say run it until you have problems, then look at how to fix it.

 

[nashqadri]

Do whatever you want, but I've had all of my land crusiers on water crossings in water up to the hood and never had an issue.

Thank you!

 

[nashqadri]

EFI motors don't excel at extended or deep water crossings. Definitely doable, but I would be more concerned about any of the EFI components getting wet first and leaving you stranded in the stream, before worrying about a little bit of water splashing on your alternator. You will be far from the first person to get a landcruiser alternator wet

A spare reman alternator in the trunk is easier than solving something that might not even be a problem. I say run it until you have problems, then look at how to fix it.

Thank you. I do have a spare alternator that i am planning on carrying with me on my trip.